Electro-acoustic audio reverberation device and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an audio reverberation apparatus. The audio reverberation apparatus interacts with or may include a mechanical or acoustic reverberation element. An audio signal is pitch transposing upward and applied to the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element. The resulting audio reverberant signal retrieved from the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element is pitch-transposed downward by the same factor as the upward pitch transposing. This results in the mechanical or acoustic reverberation element requiring smaller dimensions in comparison to a mechanical or acoustic reverberation element where a non-pitch-transposed audio signal is applied.

BACKGROUND

This application is related to the field of electrical audio signalprocessing devices, specifically to audio reverberators.

Audio reverberation devices (reverbs) were originally designed tosimulate the rich sound produced by concert hall or other acousticallypleasant environments. Today, reverbs are used to add sonic texture andrichness to vocals, acoustic instruments, and electronic music producingdevices. Reverbs are typically used in audio production for music, film,and video.

Before the advent of modern digital processing hardware and software,early reverbs were either acoustic or electro-mechanical. For example,large suspended metal plates, often as large as 1 m×3 m and weighing asmuch as 300 kg were used create a pleasant and somewhat realisticreverberant field. These are known as plate reverbs. While often lessrealistic, suspended metal springs where used to create an economicalreverb device. These are known as spring reverbs. Alternatively,acoustic chambers where constructed in an attempt to create a richsounding and realistic reverberant field. These included a dedicatedroom with a set of speakers to project sound into the room and one ormore microphones to pickup the resultant reverberant field. Thesedevices are referred to as acoustic reverb chambers.

Modern reverbs generally use digital signal processing algorithms tocreate the reverberation effect. The algorithm used to produce thereverberation effect can reside in a standalone audio processing device.Alternatively, it can be implemented in software for use within apersonal computer. In either case, modern reverb algorithms are oftencapable of producing realistic simulations of various concert halls andother rooms, classical spring and plate reverbs, as well as imaginaryspaces.

In spite of the advantages of digital reverberation devices described inthe previous paragraph, classic electro-acoustic reverberation devices,such as plate reverbs or acoustic chambers, are often valued for thesound they produce and classical electro-acoustic reverberations devicesare often prized over modern digital reverberation devices. However, oneof the disadvantages of classic electro-acoustic reverberation devicesis their physical size, which often is large. This limits their use.

SUMMARY

This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in simplified form thatare described the Description. The Summary is not intended to identifyessential features or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Apparatus and methods disclosed have the possibility of overcoming theproblem of large physical size of electro-acoustic reverberation devicesby pitch transposing upward an audio signal applied to an acousticreverberation element and then reciprocally pitch-transposed downwardthe resulting audio signal retrieved from the acoustic reverberationelement. This results in a mechanical or acoustic reverberant structurethat has smaller dimensions.

In one aspect, the audio signal is separated into a plurality ofportions before it is upwardly pitch-transposed. Pitch transposingshortens the duration and increases the pitch of the audio signal. Thischange in duration is proportional to the pitch transpose ratio. Becausethe duration is shortened, the resulting pitch-transposed portions havea sub-portion that includes the pitch-transposed audio signal andsub-portions without the audio signal for the remaining duration of theportion.

The pitch-transposed portions are applied to the acoustic reverberationelement. A plurality of resultant reverberant portions is received fromthe acoustic reverberation element. Each resultant reverberant portionmay contain reverberation during some or all of the sub-portions thatoriginally were without the pitch-transposed audio signal.

Sub-portions within each resultant reverberant portion are successivelyarranged into successive portions in order to create a proper timesequence. The temporally arranged portions are pitch-transposed downwardby a reciprocal factor with respect to the upwardly pitch transposing.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart in accordance with the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative flow chart in accordance with theprinciples of the invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D show signal flow timing diagrams in accordancewith FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show signal flow timing diagrams in accordance withFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart showing an example of temporallyarranging successive reverberant portions.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an apparatus in accordance withprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 7A shows a personal computer for the upward and downward pitchtransposing in communication with an enclosed apparatus, the apparatusincluding a reverberation element and means for applying a resultantpitch-transposed audio signal to the acoustic reverberation element, andmeans for receiving a resultant reverberant signal from the acousticreverberation element.

FIG. 7B shows a block diagram of the enclosed apparatus of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 shows a typical spring reverb suitable as an acousticreverberation element.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative spring reverb suitable as an acousticreverberation element.

FIG. 10 shows a plate reverb device suitable as an acousticreverberation element.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cutaway view of an enclosed apparatus thatincludes an acoustic reverb chamber suitable as acoustic reverberationelement.

DESCRIPTION

The following terms are used throughout this disclosure and are definedhere for clarity and convenience.

Acoustic: As used in this disclosure, the term “acoustic” is used as amodifier to mean something capable of carrying, modifying, orcontrolling mechanical vibrations in a solid, liquid, or gaseous mediumwhere the mechanical vibrations travel at or near the speed of sound.These mechanical vibrations may include frequencies in the sonic(audible) frequency range and ultra-sonic frequency ranges.

Acoustic Medium: As used in this disclosure, an “acoustic medium” refersto a solid, liquid, or gaseous medium capable of carrying mechanicalvibration at or near the speed of sound within that medium.

Acoustic Driver: As used in this disclosure, an “acoustic driver” refersto a device, or combination of devices, capable of converting anelectrical signal to mechanical vibration. The mechanical vibration mayinclude sonic or ultra-sonic frequencies depending on the constructionof the driver or combination of drivers.

Acoustic Transducer: As used in this disclosure, an “acoustictransducer” refers to a device, or combination of devices, capable ofconverting mechanical vibration into an electrical signal. Themechanical vibration may include sonic or ultra-sonic frequenciesdepending on the construction of the acoustic transducer.

Pitch Transpose: As used in this disclosure, “pitch transpose”, “pitchtransposing”, or “pitch transposition” means changing the pitch of asound that also results in a change of its duration. This is analogousto speeding up or slowing down a tape recorder where the speed, orpitch, of the sound and its duration are affected. This is in contrastto “pitch shifting” where the pitch of a sound is changed withoutaffecting its duration or tempo.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicatelike elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a flow chart ofa process, in accordance with principles of the invention, forprocessing audio signals into and out of an acoustic reverberationelement. In step 102, a digital audio signal is pitch-transposed upward.The pitch transposition factor can typically be a constant multiplier,for example, a factor of 10, or a factor of 500, but is not limited tothese examples. Typically, audio signals have a frequency range between20 Hz to 20 kHz. Pitching transposing upward the digital audio signal bya factor of 10 would transpose a 20 Hz signal to 200 Hz, and a 20 kHzsignal to 200 kHz, making the pitch-transposed audio frequency range 200Hz to 200 kHz. Similarly, pitch transposing upward by a factor of 500would transpose a 20 Hz signal to 10 kHz and transpose a 20 kHz signalto 1 MHz, making the pitch-transposed audio frequency range from 10 kHzto 1 MHz. The pitch transposition factor can typically range from 2 to500, but is not limited to this range.

In step 104, the pitch-transposed audio signal is applied to an acousticreverberation element. The acoustic reverberation element can be a solidelement, for example, a plate reverb or a spring reverb. Alternatively,the acoustic reverberation element can be a liquid or gaseous element,for example, a reverb chamber. The reverberation element can be anymedium or element capable of transmitting audio in the pitch-transposedfrequency range and creating a resultant simulated reverberant field.The pitch-transposed audio signal can be applied to the reverberationelement by converting the pitch-transposed audio signal to an analogsignal, typically using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), pulse widthmodulator (PWM), or other devices capable of digital to analogconversion, and applying the analog signal to an acoustic driver. Theacoustic driver can be a single driver responsive to thepitch-transposed frequency range or a combination of drivers responsiveto pitch-transposed frequency range.

In step 106, a resultant reverberant signal is received from thereverberation element. For example, the reverberant signal can bereceived from a transducer responsive to the pitch-transposed frequencyrange. The resultant analog reverberant signal can be converted to adigital reverberant signal typically through an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC).

In step 108, the resultant digital reverberant signal ispitch-transposed reciprocally downward by the same factor as theoriginal pitch transposition factor. For example, if the original upwardpitch transposition factor were a factor of 10, then in step 110, theresultant digital reverberant signal is downwardly pitch-transposed bythe same factor of 10. Because the upward and downward pitchtranspositions are reciprocal processes, this results in a reverberantsignal representative of the original audio frequencies.

The signal of step 110 can be output as either an analog, digital, ordigitally streamed signal, or stored for further processing. Forexample, the signal can output in analog format through a DAC or similardevice. In another aspect, the signal can be output through digitalaudio connectors using a processing device for producing digital audioprotocol. In another aspect, the signal can be output using digitalcomputer protocol using a processing device for producing digitalcomputer protocol signals. In yet another aspect, the signal can bestreamed digitally into a processor, processor memory, or a storagedevice such as a hard drive or flash memory for further processing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart showing an alternative method inaccordance with principles of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, instep 202, a digital audio signal is separated into portions. The lengthof each portion is arbitrary.

In step 204, each portion is pitch-transposed by a factor. A typicalrange for the pitch transposition factor is 2 to 500, however the pitchtranspose factor is not limited to this range. The step of pitchtransposition and the step of separating the signal into portions can beaccomplished, for example, by loading a plurality of audio samples ofthe digital audio signal into a memory buffer and shifting out thesamples at a rate equal to the pitch transpose factor. The resultantportion is equal to the number of samples loaded into buffer memory.Because the resultant pitch-transposed signal is shifted out of thememory buffer at a much higher rate than the samples arrived, theresultant portion includes a sub-portion with the pitch-transposedsamples and a gap period without samples. For example, if the samplesare pitch-transposed by a factor of 10, then resultant pitch-transposedsignal will contain a sub-portion equal to 0.1 the length of theoriginal portion, and a gap period equal to 0.9 the length of theoriginal portion.

In step 206, each pitch-transposed portion is applied in sequence, to areverberation element. As previously described, the acousticreverberation element can be a solid element, for example, a platereverb or a spring reverb. Alternatively, the acoustic reverberationelement can be a liquid or gaseous element, for example, a reverbchamber. The reverberation element can be any medium or element capableof transmitting audio in the pitch-transposed frequency range andcreating a resultant simulated reverberant field. The pitch-transposedaudio signal can be applied to the reverberation element by convertingthe pitch-transposed audio signal to an analog signal and applying theanalog signal to an acoustic driver. The acoustic driver can be a singledriver responsive to the pitch-transposed frequency range or acombination of drivers responsive to pitch-transposed frequency range.

In step 208, a resultant reverberant signal is received from thereverberant element. For example, the reverberant signal can be receivedfrom a transducer responsive to the pitch-transposed frequency range.The resultant analog reverberant signal can be converted to a digitalreverberant signal typically through an ADC.

The resultant reverberant signal will include reverberant signals duringsome or all of the gap period of the pitch-transposed signal of step204. In step 210, the samples are put in proper time sequence ortemporarily aligned. In one aspect, each portion is divided intosub-portions equal in length to the sub-portion of the pitch-transposedsignal of step 204. Each successive sub-portion after the firstsub-portion, within a given portion, is moved and added to the firstsub-portion of each subsequent portion. With the successive sub-portionsmoved, the resultant temporally aligned portions include a firstsub-portion and a gap period in place of the moved successivesub-portions.

In step 212, each temporally aligned signal is downwardly pitchtransposed by the same factor as the original pitch transposition. Inone aspect, each temporally aligned portion is loaded into the buffermemory or an equivalent set of memory registers used to temporally storeand shift out audio samples. The samples are shifted out of the buffermemory at a rate that is the reciprocal of rate of the samples shiftedout of the buffer memory in step 204. In other words, the pitch istransposed downward by the same factor it is transposed upward. Forexample, if the samples in step 204 are shifted out at a rate of 10times faster than they were received, than the samples in step 212 areshifted out of the buffer memory at a rate of 0.1, or 10 times slower,than the samples came in.

Because the downward pitch transposition factor of step 212 is equal tothe upward pitch transposition factor of step 204, the samples of step212 are expanded to their original portion and the resultant signal isno longer pitch-transposed.

The signal of step 212 can output either analog, digital, or digitallystreamed or stored for further processing. For example, the signal canoutput into analog format through a DAC. In another aspect, the signaloutput format can be a digital audio protocol signal using a processingdevice for producing digital audio protocol. In another aspect, thesignal can be output using digital computer protocol using a processingdevice for producing digital computer protocol signals. In yet anotheraspect, the signal can be streamed digitally into a processor, processormemory, or a storage device such as a hard drive or flash memory forfurther processing.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D is illustrative of a signal flow diagram inaccordance with FIG. 2. This diagram is shown here for illustrative andconceptual purposes and is not representative of actual digital audiosignals. For the purpose of illustration and example, the pitchtransposition factor of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D is 5. FIG. 3A, shows anindividual audio sample 302 represented diagrammatically by lines. Aplurality of the individual audio samples 302 is divided into a firstportion P1 and a second portion P2. FIG. 3B shows resultantpitch-transposed audio signals T1 of the first portion P1 and resultantpitch-transposed audio signals T2 of the second portion P2. Also shownare a first gap period 304 of the first portion P1 and a second gapperiod 306 of the second portion P2.

FIG. 3C shows a representation of the resultant reverberation signalreceived from an acoustic reverberation element. The resulting portionsR1 and R2 are delayed in time by a time delay D1. The acousticreverberation element, and associated electronics for applying andreceiving the audio signal to the acoustic reverberation element, cancontribute to the time delay D1. In addition, the time delay D1, in oneaspect can also be adjusted electronically to create an “early delay”effect common in natural acoustic reverberation. Shown in FIG. 3C are afirst sub-portion R11, a second sub-portion R12, a third sub-portionR13, a fourth sub-portion R14, a fifth sub-portion R15 of the firstportion R1 and a first sub-portion R21, a second sub-portion R22, athird sub-portion R23, a fourth sub-portion R24, and a fifth sub-portionR25 of the second portion R2. In FIG. 3C, each sub-portion is equal to0.2 of their respective portions or the reciprocal of the pitchtransposition factor.

FIG. 3D shows the resultant downward pitch-transposed and temporallyaligned portions. Each resultant individual audio sample 308 is restoredto a non-pitch transposed state.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an expanded timing sequence of FIGS. 3B and3C, and the resultant temporally aligned signal of step 210 of FIG. 2.For illustrative purposes, each portion or sub-portion is represented bya block in FIG. 4A, 4B, and 4C, instead of individual lines representingindividual samples as in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. FIG. 4A shows thefirst pitch-transposed audio signal T1 and the first gap period 304 ofthe first portion P1 and the second pitch-transposed audio signal T2 andthe second gap period 306 of the second portion P2. In addition, FIG. 4Ashows the third pitch-transposed audio signal T3 and a third gap period402 of a third portion P3, a fourth pitch-transposed audio signal T4 anda fourth gap period 404 of a fourth portion P4, and a fifthpitch-transposed signal T5 and a fifth gap period 406 of a fifth portionP5.

FIG. 4B shows the time delay D1, the first sub-portion R11, the secondsub-portion R12, the third sub-portion R13, the fourth sub-portion R14,the fifth sub-portion R15 of the first portion R1 and the firstsub-portion R21, the second sub-portion R22, the third sub-portion R23,the fourth sub-portion R24, and the fifth sub-portion R25 of the secondportion R2 all of FIG. 3C. In addition FIG. 4B shows a first sub-portionR31, a second sub-portion R32, a third sub-portion R33, a fourthsub-portion R34, and a fifth sub-portion R35 of a third portion R3; afirst sub-portion R41, a second sub-portion R42, a third sub-portionR43, a fourth sub-portion R44, and a fifth sub-portion R45 of a fourthportion R4; and a first sub-portion R51, a second sub-portion R52, athird sub-portion R53, a fourth sub-portion R54, and a fifth sub-portionR55 of a fifth portion R5.

FIG. 4C shows a timing sequence of the resultant temporally alignedsignal of step 210 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4C shows first temporally alignedsub-portion A1 and a first gap period 408 of portion R1, secondtemporally aligned sub-portion A2 and a second gap period 410 of portionR2, third temporally aligned sub-portion A3 and a third gap period 412of portion R1, fourth temporally aligned sub-portion A4 and a fourth gapperiod 414 of portion R4, and a fifth temporally aligned sub-portion A5and a fifth gap period 416 of a fifth resultant portion R5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart showing an example of temporallyarranging successive reverberant portions. The pre-temporally alignedfirst portion 502 includes a first sub-portion R11, a second sub-portionR12, a third sub-portion R13, a fourth sub-portion R14 and a fifthsub-portion R15. The pre-temporally aligned second portion 504 includesa first sub-portion R21, a second sub-portion R22, a third sub-portionR23, a fourth sub-portion R24 and a fifth sub-portion R25. Thepre-temporally aligned third portion 506 includes a first sub-portionR31, a second sub-portion R32, a third sub-portion R33, a fourthsub-portion R34 and a fifth sub-portion R35. The pre-temporally alignedfourth portion 508 includes a first sub-portion R41, a secondsub-portion R42, a third sub-portion R43, a fourth sub-portion R44 and afifth sub-portion R45. The pre-temporally aligned fifth portion 510includes first a sub-portion R51, a second sub-portion R52, a thirdsub-portion R53, a fourth sub-portion R54 and a fifth sub-portion R55.

Each successive sub-portion after the first sub-portion, within a givenportion, is moved and added to the first sub-portion of each subsequentsub-portion. For example, the first sub-portion R11 of pre-temporallyaligned first portion 502 is added to sub-portion A1 of a temporallyaligned first portion 512. The second sub-portion R12 of pre-temporallyaligned first portion 502 is moved and added to the first sub-portion A2of a temporally aligned second portion 514. The third sub-portion R13 ofpre-temporally aligned first portion 502 is moved and added to the firstsub-portion A3 of a temporally aligned third portion 516. The fourthsub-portion R14 of pre-temporally aligned first portion 502 is moved andadded to the first sub-portion A4 of a temporally aligned fourth portion518. The fifth sub-portion R15 of pre-temporally aligned first portion502 is moved and added to the first sub-portion A5 of a temporallyaligned fifth portion 520. The first sub-portion R21 of pre-temporallyaligned second portion 504 is added to sub-portion A2 of the temporallyaligned second portion 514. The second sub-portion R22 of pre-temporallyaligned second portion 504 is moved and added to the first sub-portionA3 of a temporally aligned third portion 516. The third sub-portion R23of pre-temporally aligned second portion 504 is moved and added to thefirst sub-portion A4 of a temporally aligned fourth portion 518. Thefourth sub-portion R24 of pre-temporally aligned second portion 504 ismoved and added to the first sub-portion A5 of a temporally alignedfifth portion 520. The first sub-portion R31 of pre-temporally alignedthird portion 506 is added to sub-portion A3 of the temporally alignedthird portion 516. The second sub-portion R32 of pre-temporally alignedthird portion 506 is moved and added to the first sub-portion A4 of atemporally aligned fourth portion 518. The third sub-portion R33 ofpre-temporally aligned third portion 506 is moved and added to the firstsub-portion A5 of a temporally aligned fifth portion 520. The firstsub-portion R41 of pre-temporally aligned fourth portion 508 is added tosub-portion A4 of the temporally aligned fourth portion 518. The secondsub-portion R42 of pre-temporally aligned fourth portion 508 is movedand added to the first sub-portion A5 of a temporally aligned fifthportion 520. The first sub-portion R51 of pre-temporally aligned fifthportion 510 is added to sub-portion A5 of the temporally aligned fifthportion 520. The fifth sub-portion R25 of the pre-temporally alignedsecond portion 504, the fourth sub-portion R34 and fifth sub-portion R35of pre-temporally aligned third portion 506, the third sub-portion R43,the fourth sub-portion R44, and fifth sub-portion R45 of pre-temporallyaligned fourth portion 508, and the second sub-portion R52, the thirdsub-portion R53, the fourth sub-portion R54, and the fifth sub-portionR55 of pre-temporally aligned fifth portion 510 are moved to otherportions in a similar pattern.

FIG. 5 is illustrative and shows a partial view of typical temporallyaligning successive portions with pitch transposition factor of 5. Asstated in a previous paragraph, this is a specific example of thegeneral method that each successive sub-portion after the firstsub-portion, within a given portion, is moved and added to the firstsub-portion of each subsequent sub-portion. The general methodillustrates one scheme for temporally aligning successive portions;other schemes are possible.

FIG. 6 discloses a block diagram of an audio reverberation apparatus 600in accordance with principles of the invention. An analog audio signal602 is received by the audio reverberation apparatus 600 through aconnector 604 into a first preamplifier 606. The connector 604illustrated in FIG. 6 is a female XLR connector. Other connectors can beused, for example, tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) phone receptacles, tip-sleeve(TS) phone receptacles, and phono connectors. The choice for theconnector 604, is not limited to the above examples, any suitableconnector can be used as long as it is suitable for receiving an analogaudio signal.

A first ADC 608 receives a modified analog signal 610 from the firstpreamplifier 606. The first preamplifier 606 modifies the signal levelof analog audio signal 602 according to the signal level range of thefirst ADC 608 and the expected signal level range of the analog audiosignal 602. The first preamplifier 606 also buffers the analog audiosignal 602 in order to present a low impedance output from the firstpreamplifier 606 to the first ADC 608. In addition, the firstpreamplifier 606 can include a filter that band limits the analog audiosignal 602 in accordance with requirements of the first ADC 608. Thechoice of parameters and features of the preamplifier is in accordancewith the requirements of the first ADC 608 and the signal level range ofthe analog audio signal. Optionally, the first preamplifier 606 orfeatures of the first preamplifier 606 are integrated within the firstADC 608.

A processor 612 receives a first digital audio signal 614 that resultsfrom the analog to digital conversion within the first ADC 608. Theprocessor 612 can alternatively be a microcontroller, a microprocessor,digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable logic array (FPGA),programmable logic device (PLD), gate array, application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or any processing device that is capable ofprocessing digital audio signals in a manner described for the processor612 of this disclosure.

The processor 612 transposes the pitch of the first digital audio signal614 upward by a multiplier or factor, for example, a factor of 10, or afactor of 500. Typical audio signals have a frequency range between 20Hz to 20 kHz. Pitch transposing upward the first digital audio signal614 by a factor of 10 would transpose a 20 Hz signal to 200 Hz and a 20kHz signal to 200 kHz, making the pitch-transposed audio frequencyrange. Similarly, pitch transposing upward by a factor of 500 wouldtranspose a 20 Hz signal to 10 kHz and transpose a 20 kHz signal to 1MHz, making the making the pitch-transposed audio frequency range from10 kHz to 1 MHz. The pitch transposition factor can typically range from2 to 500, but is not limited to this range.

A first DAC 616 receives a pitch-transposed signal 618 from theprocessor 612 and converts to the pitch-transposed signal 618 into ananalog signal 620. An amplification circuit 622 can include any requiredfiltering or buffering after the first DAC 616. The amplificationcircuit 622 can also include a circuit capable of providing power to anacoustic driver 624. The acoustic driver 624 can be a transducer orcombination of transducers responsive to a pitch transposed frequencyrange of the pitch-transposed signal 618. For example, for a pitchtransposition factor of 5, the acoustic driver 624 could be an audiomid-range driver in combination with an electrostatic speaker capable ofdelivering both audio and ultrasonic frequencies. For a pitchtransposition factor of 500, the acoustic driver 624 could be anelectrostatic speaker capable of delivering both sonic and ultrasonicfrequencies in combination with a piezoelectric element. Alternatively,acoustic drivers that use capacitive actuation, or magneto-restrictioncould also be used.

The acoustic driver 624 is coupled to a reverberation element 626 and itvibrates a reverberant medium 628. The reverberant medium 628 can besolid, liquid, or gas. For example, the reverberation element 626 may bea “plate reverb”. A plate reverb includes a reverberant medium 628 inthe form of a suspended plate or sheet. The plate is typically made ofceramic or metal, but may be any material suitable for simulating areverberant field. The reverberation element 626 may be a “springreverb”. A spring reverb includes a reverberant medium 628 in the formof suspended springs. The reverberation element may be a “reverbchamber”. A reverb chamber includes a reverberant medium 628 in the formof a gas such as air, or a liquid, such as water, in an enclosed cavity.

The acoustic driver 624 is shown located near a central portion of thereverberant medium 628. A first acoustic transducer 630 is shown locatednear one end of the reverberant medium 628 and a second acoustictransducer 632 is located at the opposite end with respect to theacoustic driver 624 of the reverberant medium 628. This arrangement isillustrative; other arrangements that are capable of producing adesirable reverberant field. For example, the acoustic driver 624 can belocated near one end of the reverberant medium 628 with the firstacoustic transducer 630 located near the opposite end.

The first acoustic transducer 630 receives sonic and/or ultra-sonicreverberation. The reverberation is a result the mechanical vibrationgenerated by the acoustic driver 624 propagating through the reverberantmedium 628. Similarly, the second acoustic transducer 632 receives sonicor ultra-sonic reverberation. The first acoustic transducer 630 producesan electrical signal corresponding to the reverberation it senses. Thissignal is amplified by a second preamplifier 634 and the amplifiedsignal is received by a second ADC 636. Similarly, the second acoustictransducer 632 produces a signal corresponding to the reverberation itsenses. This signal is amplified by a third preamplifier 638 and theamplified signal is received by a third ADC 640.

The resulting digital signals from the second ADC 636 and third ADC 640are received by the processor 612. The processor 612 pitch transposesdownward the digital audio signal as well optionally temporally arrangesselected samples of the digital signals in a manner similar as describedin either for FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, or 5. The digital audiosignal is transposed reciprocally as the original pitch transposition.In other words, the pitch is transposed downward by the same factor asapplied for upward pitch transposition so that the original audiofrequencies are restored in a resulting digital audio signal 642. Theprocess and apparatus described in FIG. 6 creates an audio frequencyreverberation using a much smaller reverberation element with comparablefrequency response and reverberant characteristics than one that wouldhave been used if the herein described process and apparatus where notapplied.

The resulting digital audio signal 642 is received by a second DAC 644.The second DAC 644 creates an analog audio signal 646. The analog audiosignal 646 is buffered and filtered by an output driver 648. The outputdriver, for example, can be an operational amplifier circuit; thoseskilled in the art will readily recognize other equivalents. The outputdriver 648 is coupled to an output connector 650. The correspondingoutput audio signal 652 can be connected to an external audio devicesuch as an audio mixing console. The output connector 650 illustrated inFIG. 6 is a male XLR connector. Other connectors can be used, forexample, tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) phone receptacles, tip-sleeve (TS) phonereceptacles, mini-phone receptacles, and phono connectors. The choicefor the output connector 650, is not limited to the above examples, anysuitable connector can be used as long as it is suitable for sending ananalog audio signal.

It should also be understood that while the first ADC 608 and the secondDAC 644 have been described as separate devices, it might be possiblethat they are contained within an integrated circuit package, forexample, a codec 654. Similarly, the first DAC 616, second ADC 636, andthird ADC 640 may also be located with a codec. Alternatively, all orsome of the described ADCs and DACs can be located within the processor612.

It may also be desirable to receive the input audio signal and secondthe corresponding reverberation output signal digitally. This can beaccomplished through wireless or wired protocols. Suitable wirelessprotocols include but are not limited to through a protocol such as802.11, 802.15, or Zigbee. Suitable wired protocol include computerprotocols such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, Thunderbolt,Ethernet, or digital audio protocols such as Multi-Channel Digital AudioInterface (MADI), AES3, or Sony Phillips Digital Interface (SPDIF).

FIG. 6 further illustrates transmission and reception hardware typicalfor Wireless transmission and reception as well USB, FireWire, orEthernet. A wireless signal carries digital audio data that is receivedby and also digital reverberation data transmitted from the audioreverberation apparatus 600 through a wireless controller 656, and awireless antenna 658. While the wireless controller 656 is shown asseparate device from the processor 612, these can be combined into oneintegrated circuit.

In one aspect, the processor sends and receives digital audio datathrough a digital protocol processor 660, a transmitting/receivingdriver 662, and a connector 664. A digital computer signal 667 carriersthat signal to and from an external device adapted to transmit andreceive that particular protocol of the digital computer signal 667. Theprotocol can be determined by the digital protocol controller 660. Forexample, the digital protocol controller 660, can be a USB peripheralcontroller, Thunderbolt controller, or Ethernet controller. While thedigital protocol controller 660 and transmitting/receiving driver 662are shown as separate devices, these can be combined into one integratedcircuit. Similarly, both the digital protocol controller 660 andtransmitting/receiving driver 662 can be built into the processor 612.

The digital audio data received by the audio reverberation apparatus 600though either the wireless controller 656 or the digital protocolcontroller 660 is processed by the DSP in a similar manner as how firstdigital audio signal 614 is processed. Similarly, the digital audio datasent by the audio reverberation apparatus 600 to either the wirelesscontroller 656 or digital protocol controller 660, corresponds to thedigital audio signal 642 processed in a previously described manner.

While several means for receiving and transmitting audio signals intoand out of the audio reverberation apparatus 600 have been described,the disclosed combination of means for receiving and transmitting audiosignals into and out of the audio reverberation device 600 isillustrative. It is not the inventor's intent to require any particularmeans or combination of means.

FIGS. 7A shows a personal computer for the upward and downward pitchtransposing in communication with an enclosed apparatus 700. Theapparatus includes a reverberation element, means for applying aresultant pitch-transposed audio signal to the acoustic reverberationelement, and means for receiving a resultant reverberant signal from theacoustic reverberation element. FIG. 7B shows a block diagram of theenclosed apparatus 700 of FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the enclosed apparatus 700 includes an enclosure702. Illustrated is a rack mount enclosure compatible with a standard19-inch equipment rack. This is one example of many possible enclosures,and is shown for illustrative purposes. Any enclosure that providessuitable acoustic isolation for a reverberation element and protectionof the electronic circuitry within the enclosure can be used.

A personal computer 704 executes software code in one aspect, to provideupward pitch transposing of the audio signal and reciprocal downwardpitch transposing of the resultant reverberant signal. In anotheraspect, the personal computer 704 executes software code to separate theaudio signal into a plurality of portions before pitch transition and totemporally arrange resultant reverberant portions.

The personal computer can be a desktop, laptop, notebook computer,mobile computing device, tablet, pad, or any computing device capable ofexecuting pitch transposition algorithms in accordance with principlesof the invention. The audio signal source on the computer may be astorage device or memory on the personal computer 704 or may be a signalstreamed into the personal computer 704. For example, a signal streamedover the internet or through either a wired or wireless port on thecomputer. The pitch-transposed audio signal is transmitted from a port706 on the personal computer 704 and through signal cable 708 to port710 on the enclosed apparatus 700. The port can be USB, FireWire,Thuderbolt, Ethernet, or any equivalent digital computer port cableusing a digital computer protocol capable of transmitting and receivingreal-time audio data. Alternatively, the personal computer 704 and theenclosed apparatus 700 can communicate the pitch-transposed audio signalthrough wireless communication. This includes 802.11, 802.15, BlueTooth,wireless USB or other wireless communication systems capable oftransmitting and receiving real-time audio data.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, port 710 receives the upwardlypitch-transposed audio signal using digital protocol such as, but notlimited to, USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or Ethernet. Aprotocol-processing device 712 transfers the upwardly pitch-transposedaudio signal to a processor 714. The processor 714 can be amicrocontroller, microprocessor, DSP, FPGA, PLD, gate array, or ASIC.While shown separately, the processor 714 and the protocol-processingdevice 712 may be combined into one integrated circuit.

A DAC 716 receives the pitch-transposed signal from the processor 612and converts the pitch-transposed signal into an analog signal 718. Anamplification circuit 720 includes any filtering or buffering requiredafter the DAC 716 and a driver capable of providing power to an acousticdriver 722. The acoustic driver 722 can be a transducer or combinationof transducers responsive to the pitch-transposed audio frequency range.For example, for a pitch transpose factor of 5, the acoustic driver 722could be an audio mid-range driver in combination with an electrostaticspeaker capable of delivering both audio and ultrasonic frequencies. Fora pitch transpose factor of 500, the acoustic driver 722 could be anelectrostatic speaker capable of delivering both sonic and ultrasonicfrequencies in combination with a piezoelectric element. Alternatively,acoustic drivers that use capacitive actuation, or magneto-restrictioncould also be used.

The acoustic driver 722 vibrates a reverberation element 724. Thereverberation element can include a solid, liquid, or gas reverberantmedium. For example, the reverberation element 724 may be a platereverb, a spring reverb, or a reverb chamber. These elements have beenprevious previously described.

The acoustic driver 722 is shown located near one end of thereverberation element 724. An acoustic transducer 726 is shown locatednear the opposite end of the reverberation element 724 with respect tothe acoustic driver 722. This arrangement is illustrative of amonophonic reverberation; other arrangements are capable of producing adesirable reverberant field. For example, stereo arrangements orsurround sound arrangements using one or more acoustic drivers and aplurality of acoustic transducers.

The acoustic transducer 726 receives sonic and/or ultra-sonicreverberation. The reverberation is a result the mechanical vibrationgenerated by the acoustic driver 722 propagating through the reverberantmedium of the reverberation element 724. The acoustic transducer 726produces an electrical signal corresponding to the reverberation itsenses. This signal is amplified by a preamplifier 728 and the amplifiedsignal is received by an ADC 730. The resulting digital reverberationsignal from the ADC 730 is received by the processor 714. Theprotocol-processing device 712 receives the digital reverberation signaland processes it into digital computer protocol for transmission to thepersonal computer 704 through port 710.

This block diagram shows the ADC 730 and the DAC 716 corresponding to amonophonic configuration. This is meant to show one possibleconfiguration. Other configurations are possible using multiple acousticdrivers, multiple transducers, multiple ADCs and multiple DACs. Inaddition, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that eithersingle or multiple ADCs and/or DACs can be combined into a singleintegrated circuit or may be integrated into the processor 714.

FIG. 8 shows the reverberation element 626 of FIG. 6 as a springreverberation device 802 using a plurality of springs as a reverberantmedium. The spring reverberation device 802 includes the acoustic driver624 driven with a pitch-transposed audio signal in accordance with FIG.6. The acoustic driver 624 is coupled to a suspended mounting plate 804.A plurality of springs 806 are coupled on one end to the suspendedmounting plate 804 and on the other end to a suspended frame 808. Thesuspended frame 808 is coupled to outer frame 810 of the springreverberation device 802 through a plurality of acoustic dampeners 812.A first transducer 814, second transducer 816, third transducer 818, andforth transducer 820 are mounted at different positions on the suspendedframe 808 in order to simulate a three dimensional sound field. Thesetransducers serve an equivalent function to the first acoustictransducer 630 and the second acoustic transducer 632 of FIG. 6 andtheir corresponding signals are processed by the processor 612 asdescribed for the signals from the first acoustic transducer 630 and thesecond acoustic transducer 632 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a spring reverberation device 902 similarly configured asthe spring reverberation device 802 of FIG. 8, expect the outer frame904 and suspended frame 906 are circular instead of rectangular. Theplurality of springs 908 are now equal length and will create a soundfield with a distinctly different reverberant field than the springreverberation device 802 of FIG. 8. The spring reverberation device 902includes the acoustic driver 624 driven with a pitch-transposed audiosignal in accordance with FIG. 6. The acoustic driver 624 is coupled toa suspended mounting plate 910. The plurality of springs 908 are coupledon one end to the suspended mounting plate 910 and on the other end tothe suspended frame 906. The suspended frame 906 is coupled to outerframe 904 of the spring reverberation device 902 through the pluralityof acoustic dampeners 912. The first transducer 914, second transducer916, third transducer 918, and forth transducer are mounted around thesuspended frame 906. These transducers serve an equivalent function tothe first acoustic transducer 630 and the second acoustic transducer 632of FIG. 6. Their corresponding signals are processed by the processor612, as described for the signals from the first acoustic transducer630, and the second acoustic transducer 632 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are examples of spring reverbs that can be used as anacoustic reverberation element. It is not the intent of the inventor tomake these limiting to the meaning of spring reverb. Indeed, any springreverb appropriately responsive to pitch-transposed audio signal can beused as the acoustic reverberation element. For example, a simple linearspring reverb device with either a single spring or a plurality ofsprings.

FIG. 10 illustrates a typical plate reverb 1000 that can be used as theacoustic reverberation element. In FIG. 10, the plate reverb can includea sheet, foil, or plate 1002. The plate 1002 can be made of any materialwith a frequency response capable with the upward pitch-transposedsignal in order to create the desired reverberation effect by mechanicalvibration of the plate. Depending on the desired frequency response,plate materials can include steel, aluminum, ceramics, or any othermaterial capable of transmitting the pitch transposed sound. The plate1002 is mounted to a frame 1004 by suspended by a plurality of acousticisolation elements 1006 such as springs, wires, or other suitable devicefor dampening acoustic transmission from the frame 1004 to the plate1002.

An acoustic driver 1008, such as the acoustic driver 624 of FIG. 6 oracoustic driver 722 of FIG. 7B creates an acoustic signal thatmechanically vibrates the plate 1002. The acoustic driver has a suitablefrequency response for reproducing the pitch-transposed signal. A firstacoustic transducer 1010 and a second acoustic transducer 1012 receivereverberation is a result the mechanical vibration generated by theacoustic driver 1008 propagating through the plate 1002. The firstacoustic transducer 1010 and the second acoustic transducer 1012 servean equivalent function to the first acoustic transducer 630 and thesecond acoustic transducer 632 of FIG. 6. Similarly, they perform anequivalent function as the acoustic transducer 726 of FIG. 7.

The acoustic driver is illustrated as a single unit but in fact,depending on the required frequency response, may be a composite ofseveral acoustic drivers. For example, for a pitch transposition factorof 5, the acoustic driver 1008 could be an audio mid-range driver incombination with an electrostatic speaker capable of delivering bothaudio and ultrasonic frequencies. For a pitch transposition factor of500, the acoustic driver 1008 could be an electrostatic speaker capableof delivering both sonic and ultrasonic frequencies in combination witha piezoelectric element. Alternatively, acoustic drivers that usecapacitive actuation, or magneto-restriction could also be used.

While the plate is illustrated as rectangular in shape and having oneacoustic driver and two acoustic transducers, other configurations arepossible. For example, one acoustic driver and one acoustic transducercan be mounted at opposite ends of the plate 1002 for a monophonicreverberation effect. Similarly, a plurality of acoustic drivers and aplurality of acoustic transducers can be used to create surround soundeffects.

FIG. 11 shows a partial cutaway view of an enclosed apparatus 1100 thatincludes a reverb chamber 1102 suitable as acoustic reverberationelement. The enclosed apparatus 1100 includes an enclosure 1104. Theenclosure top surface 1106 is shown in partial cutaway view. The reverbchamber 1102 is enclosed in order to help isolate it from outsideacoustic interference. The reverb chamber 1102 may include additionalsound isolation measures. For example, the reverb chamber 1102 mayinclude an enclosed inner portion that is partially acousticallyisolated from the enclosure 1104. This isolation may be accomplished bysurrounding the enclosed inner portion with sound isolation materialsuch as foam or fiberglass insulation. Alternatively, the enclosed innerportion may be isolated by suspending it from the enclosure 1104 byspring dampeners. In another aspect, acoustic isolation may beaccomplished by configuring the reverb chamber 1102 portion of theenclosure with several layers that include a isolation layer made ofsound damping material between the enclosure 1104 outer layer and theinner layer of the reverb chamber 1102.

The enclosure 1104 can include an electronics portion 1108. Theelectronics portion 1108 in one aspect can include electronic circuitry1110 similar to FIG. 6 where the electronics performs the upward andreciprocal downward pitch transposition. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, inanother aspect, the electronic portion can also include electroniccircuitry similar to FIG. 7 where the electronic circuitry 1110 isadapted to receive upwardly pitch-transposed signals from a personalcomputer 704 and send a resultant reverberation signal back to thepersonal computer 704 for downward pitch transposition. Communicationwith the personal computer 704 can be facilitated by wired communicationsuch as an Ethernet port 1112 or a USB port 1114. As previouslydiscussed, other forms of both wired and wireless communication with thepersonal computer 704 are possible.

The reverb chamber, as shown in FIG. 11, includes a first acousticdriver 1116 and a second acoustic driver 1118 for transmitting soundthrough the acoustic medium. The acoustic medium is typically air,however, in some applications other gases may be a desirable acousticmedium because of their sound transmissive characteristics. Theresultant reverberant field is received by a first acoustic transducer1120 and a second acoustic transducer 1122. As previously described, theacoustic drivers, although shown as drivers within a single housing, maybe composite drivers in order to provide a frequency response suitablefor creating a desired reverberation effect from the pitch-transposedaudio signal within the reverb chamber 1102.

One of the advantages of the exemplary methods and apparatus describedis to provide a compact electro-acoustic reverberation device where theacoustic reverberation element can be smaller in dimension thanelectro-acoustic reverberation elements without the herein describedmethods or apparatus. For example, a typical plate reverberation devicecan have dimensions as large as 1 m×3 m. Applying the herein describedmethods or apparatus, the length and width of the plate reverb devicecan be reduced by the pitch transposition factor. For example, with apitch transposition factor of 10, the length and width of the plate canbe as small as 0.1 m×0.3 m and achieve a similar reverb characteristicas the plate of larger dimension. For an apparatus or method describedherein applied to a reverb chamber, a pitch transposition factor of 100to 500, for example, can allow a relatively small chamber simulate thereverb characteristic of a chamber or room with dimensions of 100 to 500times larger.

Accordingly, an audio reverberation apparatus with the herein presentedobjectives has been described. It is not the intent of the inventor tolimit the claimed invention to the examples, variations, and exemplaryembodiments described in the specification. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that variations will occur when embodying the claimedinvention in specific implementations and environments. For example, itis possible to implement certain features described in separateembodiments in combination within a single embodiment. Similarly, it ispossible to implement certain features described in single embodimentseither separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. It is theintent of the inventor that these variations fall within the scope ofthe claimed invention. While the examples, exemplary embodiments, andvariations are helpful to those skilled in the art in understanding theclaimed invention, it should be understood that, the scope of theclaimed invention is defined by the following claims and equivalentsthereof.

1. An apparatus used for processing audio signals into and out of anacoustic reverberation element, comprising: a processor configured toupwardly pitch transpose an audio signal by a factor, resulting inpitch-transposed audio signal; means for applying the pitch-transposedaudio signal to the acoustic reverberation element; means for receivinga resultant reverberant signal from the acoustic reverberation element;and the processor configured to downwardly pitch transposing thereverberant signal by the factor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinmeans for applying the resultant pitch-transposed audio signal and meansfor receiving the resultant reverberant signal includes wirelesscommunication.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein means for applyingthe resultant pitch-transposed audio signal and means for receiving theresultant reverberant signal includes a digital computer protocol. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, further including: an enclosure; and withinthe enclosure includes the processor, means for receiving a resultantreverberant signal from the acoustic reverberation element, and meansfor downwardly pitch transposing the reverberant signal by the factor.5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including the acousticreverberation element.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the acousticreverberation element is a plate reverb.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the acoustic reverberation element is a spring reverb.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the acoustic reverberation element is areverb chamber.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including: anenclosure; and within the enclosure includes the reverberation element,the processor, means for receiving a resultant reverberant signal fromthe acoustic reverberation element, and means for downwardly pitchtransposing the reverberant signal by the factor.
 10. An apparatus usedfor processing audio signals into and out of an acoustic reverberationelement, comprising: a processor configured to separate an audio signalinto portions and upwardly pitch transposing the audio signal by afactor, resulting in a plurality of pitch-transposed portions; means forapplying the plurality of pitch-transposed portion to the acousticreverberation element; means for receiving a plurality of resultantreverberant portions from the acoustic reverberation element; and theprocessor configured to temporally arrange successive reverberantportions, and downwardly pitch transposing temporally arrangedreverberant portions by the factor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein means for applying the resultant pitch-transposed audio signaland means for receiving the plurality of resultant reverberant portionsincludes wireless communication.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinmeans for applying the resultant pitch-transposed audio signal and meansfor receiving the plurality of resultant reverberant portions includes adigital computer protocol.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein theacoustic reverberation element is a plate reverb.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the acoustic reverberation element is a spring reverb.15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acoustic reverberationelement is a reverb chamber.
 16. A non-transitory software programproduct in which a software code is stored, said software code realizingthe following when executed by a processing device: upwardly pitchtransposing by a factor an audio signal; applying a resultantpitch-transposed audio signal to an acoustic reverberation element;receiving a resultant reverberant signal from the acoustic reverberationelement; and downwardly pitch transposing the reverberant signal by thefactor.
 17. A non-transitory software program product in which asoftware code is stored, said software code realizing the following whenexecuted by a processing device: separating an audio signal intoportions and upwardly pitch transposing the audio signal by a factor,resulting in a plurality of pitch-transposed portions; applying theplurality of pitch-transposed portions to an acoustic reverberationelement; receiving a plurality of resultant reverberant portion from theacoustic reverberation element; and temporally arranging successivereverberant portions, and downwardly pitch transposing temporallyarranged reverberant portions by the factor.
 18. A method for processingaudio signals into and out of an acoustic reverberation element,comprising: upwardly pitch transposing an audio signal by a factor;applying a resultant pitch-transposed audio signal to the acousticreverberation element; receiving a resultant reverberant signal from theacoustic reverberation element; and downwardly pitch transposing thereverberant signal by the factor.
 19. A method for processing audiosignals into and out of an acoustic reverberation element, comprising:separating an audio signal into portions and upwardly pitch transposingthe audio signal by a factor, resulting in a plurality ofpitch-transposed portions; applying the plurality of pitch-transposedportions to the acoustic reverberation element; receiving a plurality ofresultant reverberant portion from the acoustic reverberation element;and temporally arranging successive reverberant portions, and downwardlypitch transposing temporally arranged reverberant portions by thefactor.